OCTOBER 11, 2012 THE HAUNTED FOREST

Right in the heart of the Ardeal region, in a place with an epoch appearance, we can, probably, find one of the most mysterious locations of Romania. A lot of ink has flown on the subject of the Hoia-Baciu Forest, just as many steps of curious people have passed this gate “between worlds” with the hope of catching a bit of paranormal. 

Some of them have really had some inexplicable experiences that make even the most courageous people shiver. The scientific explorers can not help it and seem to be tied and bound, leaving the speculations, that inflame the imagination of the paranormal phenomena fans, free.

The Hoia-Baciu Forest is, for sure, one of the most famous locations in Romania, where a series of inexplicable phenomena have been investigated and analyzed. I didn't get a chance to go the forest but Rick and Mircea did. On Sunday, my back was still in pain from crawling through caves and up and down mountains, so Rick and Mircea decided to ride into the forest with another friend, Mireca  on " a quad" ( a large four wheeler bike ) It is stated that paranormal or psycho normal phenomena exist there.  According to Rick, riding on the quad, it does exist. One of his photos does reveal orbs and figures even though the picture was of the trees and the forest

It has become famous since 1968. However, the locals have known of its existence since time out of mind. They have kept avoiding it as it is considered an evil place where strange things happen. They all have known that once they have got among the trees, they are able to hear the rustle that seems to come from another world where all the fears of the human subconscious come to life and appear in the way of the ones that are foolish enough to venture into such a place. 

Even from the first steps into the wood, they were hit by inexplicable states of nausea, anxiety, headaches and, sometimes, even burns on their skin. The Hoia-Baciu Forest was a taboo subject for a long time, because people were afraid to even talk about it since the place was considered to be cursed and even dwelled by the Devil.

Alexandru Sift, a biologist started to study those paranormal phenomena that were supposed to happen in the oak wood. He was seduced by the fame of this forest and intrigued by all the incredible stories he was hearing from the locals. So, he started going on many trips in the Hoia-Baciu Forest, noticing that, every time, among the trees, some strange shadows were accompanying him. Being brave, he continued his research and he even managed to take some pictures of the “shadows”. Much to his surprise, even from the development of the images, he could notice, besides the shadows, some other forms, lights and figures that could not be noticed by the human eyes. Since then, many research workers were lured to explore that place.

You have to be open minded. We were... at least Rick was on that day..

Until tomorrow...

Photograph 1: Rick and Mierca'a friend, Mierca
Photograph 2: Rick Byrd, of the open forest- yet printed as orbs
Photograph 3: by Rick Byrd: Bones in the forest